Internal-combustion engine.



G. H. DUKE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 6. 1917.

1,960,653. Patented Mar. 26, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- Qwuenroz I G. H. DUKE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE ,APPLICATION FILED MAR. s. 1911.

1,260,653. Patented Mar. 26,1918.

UNTTEU dTATEfi PATENT GEQRGE it. DUKE, or HOTCHKISS, COLORADO.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. DUKE, citizen of the United States, residing at Hotchkiss, in the county of Delta and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to internal-combustlon engines and 1tsob3ect isto provide the same with'a means whereby the maximum power is developed without an additional fuel supply.

The invention also has for its object to provide the engine cylinder with a variable clearance space for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in the drawings,

another position;

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the engi-ne, and i Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sections on the lines 33 and H of Fig. .1, and

Fig. 5 is a detail showing in elevation a valve actuating rod.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 10 denotes the cylinder of the engine in which a piston 11 reciprocates. In the Side wall of the cylinder are inlet and exhaust ports 12 and 13, respectively, said ports being positioned diametrically opposite each other.

The inlet port 12 is controlled by a slide valve comprising a plate 14 seating in a recess 15 in the cylinderwall, on the inside of the latter, and so positioned that it covers the port in one position and uncovers it in another position. From the back of the valve plate 14 extends a Stem 16 which passes through a slot 17 in the cylinder wall and has connected to its outer end a valve actuating rod 18 operated by'a cam 19 on a shaft 20 suitably geared to the engine shaft 21 having a crank 22 to which the connecting rod 23 of the piston 11 is coupled. The end of the valve actuating rod 18 which is connected-to the stem 16 is fashioned into a yoke 24 to straddle the intake pipe 25 connecting with the port 12. The lower end of the valve plate 14. has a beveled edge 26 and its side edges are also beveled as shown at '27. The walls of the recess 15'aga1nst which the beveled edges of th'evalve plat fit are Specification of Letters Patent.

shown in Fig. 2.

Patented Mar. 26, 1919.

Application filed March 6, 1917. Serial No. 152,853.

beveled to correspond, thereby producing a tight joint to prevent leakage around the valve plate.

The exhaust port 13 is controlled by a slide valve 28 constructed and actuated in the same manner as the valve 14, In the combustion chamber 29 of the cylinder 10, back of the piston 11, is a movable head 30 forming a closure for said chamber and carrying an ignition device 31 for firing the fuel charge. This head is slidable in the cylinder for a purpose to be presently described.

The combustion chamber 29 also contains a sleeve 32 fitting slidably therein. The head 30 is located inside this sleeve. The

.length of the sleeve is such that its inner end may'strike the back of the piston 11 when the firing stroke takes place, this end of the sleeve being reinforced, as shown at 33, so that it may withstand the impact of the blow against the piston. The outer or upper end of the sleeve is reinforced as and outward curve therefrom to bring their other ends in contact with the top reinforced end 34 of the sleeve. The inner surface of the head 37 is shaped to form guides 40 for the elements 39. The upper end of the head 30 is of reduced diameter to accommodate the end 34 of the sleeve and to allow the elements 39 to turn freely in a direction to force the sleeve downward as The head 30 is prevented from dropping down too far in the cylinder 10 by bolts 41 passing loosely through the head 37 and having springs 42 interposed between their heads and the outside of the head 37, the head 30 being thus yieldingly supported in the combustion chamber 29 of the cylinder.

' top of the head 30 extending in an upward The engine operates on a four-strokecycle, the operation being as follows On the suction stroke of the piston 11, the

valve 14 is open, and the sleeve 32 is at the limit of its downward movement, and its port 35 registers with the port 12. At the end of the suction stroke, the valve 14 closes,

and "at the end of the next, or the compresthe iston 11 at the beginning of the firing stro (e, the force of the explosion expended against the head is transmitted tothe pis ton, resulting in greater power. On the next stroke, which is the exhaust stroke, the

, valve 28 opens and at the end of this stroke trated may be made without a departure the cycle of operationsis repeated. The piston also again strikes the sleeve at the end of the exhaust stroke, and the head 30 is forced inward to reduce the clearance space, thereby securing a complete removal of the residual spent gases from the com- .bustion chamber. Fig. 1 shows the position of the parts at the commencement of the firing stroke, and Fig.2 their position at the end of this stroke.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it Wlll be evident that various changesand modifications 1n the structural detalls lllusfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. hereinafter. Any other suitable mechanism for transmitting the motion of the head 30 to the sleeve 32 may be pro vided.

, I claim 1. In an internal-combustion engine, a cylinder, 2. piston in the cylinder, a slidable head in the cylinder back of the piston, said head being exposed to the explosion pressure and IHQYELlJlG thereby outward of the piston, and means engageable with the back of the piston for transmitting said movement of the head to the piston at the beginhead in the cylinder back of the piston, said head being exposed to the explosion pres sure and movable thereby outward of the piston, a sleeve in the cylinder and in contact at one end with the back of the piston at the commencement of the firing stroke, the slidable head. being located inside the sleeve, and means for transmitting the aforesaid movement of the head to the sleeve.

4. In an internal-combustion engine, a

cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a slidable head yieldingly suspended in the cylinder back of the piston, said headbeing exposed to' the exploslon pressure and movable thereby out-ward of the piston, and means for transmitting said movement otlthe head to the piston at the beginning of the firing stroke thereof in the same direction the piston moves'during said stroke. I

5. In an internal-combustion engine, a cylinder, a piston'in the cylinder, a slidable head in the cylinder back of the piston, said head being exposedto the explosion pres sure and movable thereby outward or the piston, a sleeve in the cylinder and in contact at one end with the back of the piston at the commencement of the firing stroke, the slidable head beinglocated inside the sleeve, and means for transmitting the afore said movement of the head to the sleeve, the cylinder having side inlet and exhaust ports, and the sleeve having ports adapted to reg ister with said cylinder ports.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

enonen n. DUKE.

ning of the firing stroke thereof in the same direction the piston. moves during said stroke. 

